Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday addressed the Rajya Sabha, highlighting significant strides made by the Modi government in improving national security, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, and tackling legacy security challenges left by the previous UPA government.
Amit Shah Slams Opposition
Shah began by criticising the Congress-led UPA administration for its mishandling of critical security issues, such as terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgencies in the Northeast, and Maoism. He referred to these challenges as “legacy issues” that had plagued the country for decades. “When Narendra Modi Government was elected to power in 2014, we received several legacy issues from prior to 2014. The security and development of this country were always challenged due to three main issues. These three issues caused obstruction to the peace of the country, raised questions on the security of the country and obstructed the development pace of the country for almost 4 decades,” he said. Shah noted that these problems had resulted in the deaths of nearly 92,000 citizens over the past 40 years, but asserted that under the Modi government, “well-planned efforts” were made to address them.
The Home Minister took particular aim at the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, where he claimed the Modi administration had successfully reduced terrorism. “After the removal of Article 370, the involvement of Indian youth with terrorists has almost disappeared. Ten years ago, terrorist glorification was common, and funeral processions would take place. But now, when terrorists are killed, they are buried on the spot. Relatives of terrorists who once enjoyed government perks have been ruthlessly removed from government posts to send a strong message,” he stated. Shah pointed out that the region saw a dramatic drop in terror-related incidents since 2014, with 7,217 incidents recorded from 2004 to 2014, compared to just 2,242 from 2014 to 2024. This, he argued, was a clear result of the government’s “zero-tolerance” policy against terrorism.
Further emphasising the security improvements, Shah highlighted the successful conduct of the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir elections, marking the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. He noted that not a single bullet was fired, and there were no complaints of booth rigging. “Once, leaders from Delhi would go there to receive winning certificates while citizens stayed home. Now, 98 percent of people cast their votes. It is PM Narendra Modi who laid the foundation of democracy in Kashmir,” Shah said.
Shah Talks About J&K and Its Employment Boosting
Shah also discussed the government’s commitment to boosting employment and investment in Jammu and Kashmir. He noted that between 2019 and 2024, 40,000 government jobs had been provided, and 1.51 lakh self-employment opportunities created. Additionally, investments worth Rs 12,000 crore had already been realised, with agreements worth Rs 1.1 lakh crore signed. These initiatives, Shah argued, were helping to create a more stable and prosperous region.
On the subject of national security, Shah stated that the government had successfully taken a firm stance against terrorism, particularly in relation to Pakistan. He referred to the surgical strikes and airstrikes conducted by India after the deadly attacks in Uri and Pulwama, contrasting them with the perceived inaction of previous governments. “Terrorists used to infiltrate from neighbouring country. PM Modi has started a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism. Attacks happened in our time in Uri and Pulwama, but we retaliated with surgical strikes and airstrikes in Pakistan,” he said, adding that India had now joined the ranks of countries like the USA and Israel in adopting a strong approach to border security.
Shah Discussed About Eradicating Drugs Trade
Shah also shared that India is on the verge of developing an indigenous anti-drone solution, which is expected to be available within six months. This, he claimed, would serve as a testament to the country’s growing capabilities in defense technology. Additionally, he mentioned that drones were now being used to track poppy cultivation and tackle the illegal drug trade. “In the last five years, 23,000 kg of synthetic drugs worth more than Rs 14,000 crore have been destroyed and disposed of,” he said. He reiterated the government’s resolve to eliminate the drug trade, emphasising that the money generated from such activities often funded terrorism.
Shah’s address was a firm defense of the Modi government’s handling of national security, especially in the face of challenges left by previous administrations, and underscored the administration’s commitment to maintaining peace and security across the nation.
